U.S. opposes elections in NE Syria due to lack of fair conditions

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The United States (U.S.) announced on Friday that it does not support the recent call by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to begin preparations for municipal elections.

In a press release, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller assessed that the conditions necessary for holding “free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in Syria, including in the North and East,” have not been met.

Citing U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, which outlines the requirements for legitimate elections in Syria, the U.S. reiterated that it has consistently advocated for a process that reflects these principles.

According to the assessment, the current environment in Syria, including the regions run by the AANES, does not provide the necessary conditions for such a democratic process to take place.

“Conditions for such elections are not currently met in Syria, including in the North and East,” the statement read.

As a result, Washington remains firm in its stance that these elections should not proceed under the current circumstances. 

Late in August, The AANES’ High Electoral Commission issued a decision authorizing the regional commissions to work on holding municipal elections at a time they deem appropriate, according to each region.

The AANES’ municipal elections were scheduled to be held on June 11, but it was postponed at official request of political parties and alliances who are participating in the elections, according to a statement by the AANES at the time.

Turkey expressed its refusal regarding the elections saying that such elections threaten Turkey’s “national security.”

“Turkey will never allow the separatist organization to establish (a terror state) just beyond its southern borders in the north of Syria and Iraq,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on May 30. 

The U.S. had previously said any elections in Syria should be free, fair, transparent, and inclusive, as is called for in UNSCR 2254.

“… and we don’t think that the conditions for such elections are in place in NE Syria in present time,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Vedant Patel, said on May 30.

By Jwan Shekaki